Articles tagged with Speech Language Pathology
Researchers found subtle patterns in brain activity while children listened to speech linked to verbal communication abilities in autistic youths. Altered brain signals suggested the brain may process speech less efficiently, with noisier signals associated with lower scores on everyday verbal communication.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry identified speech latency as a promising biomarker to enrich clinical trials for patients with schizophrenia. By analyzing speech latency, participants with a high placebo response can be identified and excluded, leading to significant improvements in treatment outcomes.
Researchers developed a wearable Revoice device that decodes speech signals and emotional cues to enable seamless real-time communication in people with post-stroke dysarthria. The device achieved a word error rate of 4.2% and sentence error rate of 2.9%, showing promising results for stroke rehabilitation.
NEJM Clinician curates highly relevant clinical insights from over 150 peer-reviewed journals to give physicians clear guidance without the noise. The weekly publication delivers summaries and commentary in a concise, 30-minute read, helping healthcare providers stay informed and confident in their decisions.
A new study found that nearly 1 in 5 mobile reading apps lack educational value, with many failing to provide explicit teaching or structured approaches. The researchers are calling for greater regulation and certification of app quality to ensure children engage with tools that support their learning.
A large-scale study led by New York University found that children receiving biofeedback speech therapy improved their 'r' sound pronunciation at a much faster rate than traditional methods. This technology-enhanced treatment approach uses visual feedback to improve speech, making it easier for children to adjust and reducing frustration.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a new treatment approach for primary progressive aphasia (PPA) that combines traditional speech therapy with noninvasive brain stimulation. The technique, called transcranial direct current stimulation, was found to be more effective in managing PPA compared to speech therapy alone.
Dr. Rhonda Winegar investigates the effectiveness of music therapy in supporting neurological care, including its ability to reduce anxiety and depression in Alzheimer's patients. Her research also highlights its potential to regulate heart rate and blood pressure, as well as improve motor function in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at the University of Calgary investigate the effectiveness of transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with intensive speech therapy for treating poststroke aphasia. The study found significant improvements in speech, confidence, and mood among participants, offering new hope for those affected by stroke.
Researchers identified specific non-frontal brain areas involved in speech intent, which can be used to distinguish between language production and perception. This study is a crucial step towards developing a brain-computer interface to treat patients with Broca's aphasia.
Researchers found a high agreement between EEG and fMRI in identifying brain regions activated during language tasks. EEG-guided tDCS improved picture-naming speed in participants, suggesting its potential for innovative therapies.
Scientists discovered that aphasia patients struggle with both forming concept of time and selecting correct verb tense. The severity of these issues varied depending on the language and individual, with some facing challenges primarily during encoding or retrieval.
A recent SFU study reveals how indirect brain damage affects thalamus function after a stroke, potentially leading to new treatments. Researchers found that the amount of damage to the thalamus correlates with the level of impairment in patients.
Fogarty's research aims to monitor language function and recovery in post-stroke patients using DOT. She hopes to establish the feasibility of brain-computer interfaces to restore inter-personal communication for post-stroke patients.
A major clinical trial led by the University of Nottingham found that LSVT LOUD was more effective at reducing the impact of voice problems in people with Parkinson's disease compared to no speech and language therapy or NHS delivered therapy. The treatment improved communication skills, enabling participants to go out and socialize wi...
The LUNA intervention, a multi-level language treatment, was found to improve narrative abilities and language functioning in individuals with chronic aphasia. The study, published in PLoS One, suggests that discourse-focused therapies can make a real difference in the lives of people with aphasia.
A new study published in npj Mental Health Research reveals three distinct language comprehension mechanisms in autistic children, challenging the common linear trajectory of language development. The findings support the idea that intensive language therapy should start earlier and highlight the importance of improving language compre...
Research by Uppsala University and Region Gotland found that new screening tools are effective in identifying early language and communication difficulties in children. The studies show a sharp increase in referrals to speech therapists after introducing Språkfyrn, a four-year-old screening tool.
A recent study found that large language models can accurately translate discharge summaries into more readable formats, improving patient understanding. However, initial implementation will require physician review due to safety concerns.
A new study published in eClinicalMedicine found that the iTalkBetter app significantly improved patients' ability to talk after six weeks of use. The app provided digital speech therapy for over 200 commonly used words, with a 13% increase in naming items and improvements in spontaneous speech.
People with aphasia struggle to come up with words when prompted by images and words carrying negative emotional meaning. Researchers found that neutral prompts yield the best results, with negative emotional context disrupting word retrieval. The study has implications for clinical assessments and therapy.
Researchers found that 94% of patients with posterior cortical atrophy had Alzheimer's pathology, while only 70% of those with memory loss did. Early identification of PCA may lead to better treatment options for Alzheimer's patients.
The AAO-HNSF 2023 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience will feature groundbreaking clinical research and professional development emerging within otolaryngology. The meeting will showcase the latest scientific oral presentations on various topics, including Otology, Laryngology, Endocrine Surgery, and more.
Researchers found that crowdsourced listeners can accurately assess voice quality for people with Parkinson's disease, supporting the use of crowdsourcing to evaluate speech samples. The study replicated a previous finding that intensive voice and articulation therapies improve voice quality.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed the first molecular therapeutic for Angelman syndrome, a devastating neurogenetic disorder. The therapy targets an evolutionarily conserved region in the UBE3A-AS transcript and has shown promising results in clinical trials.
A recent study by researchers at Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine found that daily reading improved language development in infants 12 months and younger. Infants who received consistent daily reading started showing improvements in language scores as early as nine months of age.
A new UCLA-led study found that many patients do not receive sufficient rehabilitation therapy after a stroke, which can lead to long-term disability. Hispanic patients were particularly affected, receiving lower amounts of physical and occupational therapy.
A reading project that pairs school-age children with older adults has been found to boost wellbeing among both groups. The Silver Stories programme built relationships between generations and helped children develop social skills and confidence, while also fighting loneliness for listeners.
A new study from Duke University found that a person's race affects their inclination to ask questions, with Black women asking half as many questions as White participants. This may impact diagnosis and treatment of communication impairments resulting from right hemisphere stroke.
A recent study at the University of Helsinki found that singing-based group rehabilitation can increase communication and speech production in stroke survivors, while also reducing social isolation. The study's results suggest that this type of rehabilitation could be a valuable addition to existing aphasia treatment protocols.
A new study found that people with severe speaking difficulties pay more attention to hand gestures when their verbal communication is impeded. This highlights the importance of incorporating gestures into therapy for individuals with aphasia.
A study analyzing over 400 singer patients found that nodules were the most prevalent injury, affecting 58% of singers. The study also identified professional status and prior vocal training as risk factors, but noted that conservative management can help many singers recover from injuries.
A study of 118 PPA autopsies found five diseases causing language impairments, each impacting a distinct part of the language network. The findings can inform targeted interventions and treatment approaches for patients with PPA.
Researchers found a brain region, dorsal precentral gyrus, monitors auditory feedback to produce smooth speech. Hearing one's own voice with unnatural delays leads to increased activity in this region and the superior temporal gyrus.
UCSF researchers discovered a small cluster of neurons in the brain stem that regulates tempo and coordinates breathing with vocalization. This finding has implications for understanding speech pathologies, as altered wiring in this system may cause difficulties with speaking.
Researchers discovered that frequency-following responses to speech sounds are highly conserved across species, including monkeys, guinea pigs and humans. This finding could lead to the development of specific markers for speech impairments and improve clinical diagnostics.
A study by Boston University researcher Jennifer Zuk found that the brain's organizational pathways, known as white matter, set a foundation for language learning abilities within the first year of life. This is reflected in children born with higher indications of white matter organization having better language skills five years later.
A parent-led therapy for early signs of autism has significantly reduced the likelihood of an autism diagnosis at age three. The iBASIS-VIPP program uses video-feedback to support social development and unique abilities, resulting in increased parental sensitivity and language development.
Researchers at Boston University developed a new method to predict language recovery in Hispanic patients using computer models of the brain. The breakthrough could be a game changer for speech therapy and stroke survivors impacted by aphasia.
A new ECU study found that early intervention and less-intensive therapy can lead to better communication outcomes. The researchers suggest tailoring the difficulty level of aphasia therapy to individual tolerance and spacing sessions to enhance learning consolidation.
A recent review paper examines six clinical trials of virtual stroke rehabilitation programs, finding them effective in aiding recovery. The study also highlights the importance of therapist training and social interaction for patient satisfaction.
A new study has found that music therapy sessions have a positive effect on the neurorehabilitation of acute stroke patients. The research, conducted at Anglia Ruskin University, showed that NMT helped improve mood regulation, concentration, and brain function through neural reorganisation.
Researchers at HSE University found that people with aphasia respond more accurately and quickly when retrieving single verbs with complex argument structures, rather than relying on simpler verbs. This challenges the traditional view that linguistic complexity correlates with cognitive difficulty, suggesting that certain types of verb...
Researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina found that the left lateral temporal cortex needs to be intact for a stroke survivor to successfully follow along with another speaker. The study suggests that speech entrainment therapy may improve the ability of patients with post-stroke aphasia to speak fluently and with less...
Researchers at Stanford University found that Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) is more effective than existing therapies at motivating children with autism to speak. The treatment involves parents setting up situations where their child is motivated to communicate, leading to improved communication skills and broader social abilities.
A new study reveals that nursing homes are increasingly providing high-intensity rehabilitation services to residents in the last days of life, which may be driven by a desire to maximize reimbursement rates. This trend has been linked to unnecessary and harmful interventions, potentially interfering with appropriate end-of-life care.
Researchers at USC and MUSC found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) significantly improved naming exercises in stroke patients with long-term aphasia. The study shows tDCS coupled with speech therapy is a promising new treatment for these patients.
A new study found that tablets can positively impact social learning among children with speech problems, shifting accents towards more interactive approaches.
A team of researchers developed a system that displays tongue movements in real time, using machine learning algorithms to control an articulatory talking head. This 'visual biofeedback' system can help patients with articulation disorders correct pronunciation problems faster.
A Baycrest study found significant communication improvement gains for patients with post-stroke disorders through telerehabilitation, comparable to those of in-person treatment. However, telerehabilitation patients showed lower confidence in their abilities compared to in-person therapy.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina found a significant correlation between microstructural white matter changes and aphasia recovery after speech therapy. The study supports the dual-stream language model and highlights the importance of structural plasticity in semantic skills, leading to improved treatment outcomes.
A new telemedicine program offers specialized speech therapy for people with dementia-related language problems, significantly improving their ability to recall words they had lost. The Communication Bridge program uses a secure video-chat platform and home assignments like virtual flashcards to support language memory.
Researchers found that patients with aphasia who performed better on speech-fluency tests had higher structural integrity in right hemisphere regions. These areas were found to contribute to speech-fluency, suggesting the right side of the brain reorganizes itself for recovery.
Researchers at USC, University of Washington and University of Utah developed a machine-learning algorithm that detects high-empathy or low-empathy speech in therapist-patient sessions. The tool uses automatic speech recognition and natural language processing to analyze over 1,000 therapy sessions.
The UCLA Center for East–West Medicine has published a document to help students, educators, and practitioners evaluate and digest Chinese medical texts with greater sensitivity and comprehension. The 15-page document addresses translation-specific issues, technical terminology, and cultural perspective to promote accurate translations.
Researchers identified five promising treatments, including constraint-induced movement therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation, to improve rehabilitation outcomes in stroke patients. These non-invasive methods have potential applications beyond stroke rehabilitation.
A recent review suggests that training the less proficient language before or after aphasia onset results in bigger transfer effects on the untreated language. Semantic therapy approaches, such as stimulating word meanings, also facilitate transfer of therapy effects from one language to another.
A new study suggests that non-invasive brain stimulation can significantly improve aphasia recovery in stroke survivors. The treatment was found to be most effective when administered early after the stroke, typically within five weeks, and showed a threefold improvement over sham stimulation in patients with anomia.
Aphasia affects 80,000 people annually in the US, causing difficulty speaking and understanding language. Researchers at Brown University have developed a therapy to strengthen speech networks using guided speech and repetition exercises. Early testing with four patients showed improved precision and reduced errors.
A study published in Brain and Language found that six weeks of intensive language therapy improved naming objects and cognitive potential in seniors with chronic aphasia. The therapy also integrated the default mode network, a brain system involved in 'on standby' activity, suggesting long-term recovery potential.